10-time WWE champion could debut in AEW, says Jim Ross, for a title clash against Swerve Strickland

A WWE veteran, who was recently released, could be a great opponent for the current AEW world champion, Swerve Strickland according to Jim Ross. JR thinks it could be a great TV match.

The 10-time champion in question is Shelton Benjamin. The star had two different stints with the Stamford-based promotion, in which he won several accolades. He is also a former Intercontinental, United States, and tag team champion. In September 2023, Benjamin was unfortunately released from WWE.

Ever since his release, the former tag team champion has been rumored to sign with AEW. Meanwhile, legendary commentator Jim Ross was asked whether Benjamin squaring off against current AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland would be a good idea on his Grilling JR podcast recently.

JR agreed that Swerve vs. Shelton would be a great TV match for either AEW Dynamite or Collision in case Benjamin makes the move.

"That'd be awesome, be dandy, it'd be good, that's good booking, that's a great TV match. That's a Dynamite or a Collision match without question so, you know I've sung praises of Shelton for a long time." [1:06:27-1:06:42]

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Jim Ross says the WWE veteran was a better athlete than other legends in his group

Jim Ross also reflected on the WWE veteran, Shelton Benjamin being in the OVW class along with John Cena, Batista, Brock Lesnar, and Randy Orton at the beginning of their careers. JR claimed that Shelton was a better athlete in his OVW group.

"We've talked about that at AllStar cast that we were able to get to recruit to go to OVW, and the Cena, Batista, Lesnar, Orton, and Shelton. Well, there's no mystery who the best athlete of those five names that I mentioned. Shelton was by far and far away the best athlete of that group, and that group had WrestleMania main eventers dotted throughout." [1:06:43-1:07:08]

Jim Ross also admitted that the legend lacked the verbal aspect of pro wrestling.

It remains to be seen whether the star will be seen in an AEW ring soon.

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If you use parts from the above quotes, please credit 'Grilling JR' and give an H/T to 'Sportskeeda Wrestling' for transcription.